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How to Get Rid of Bad Breath

A lady holding her hand to her mouth to smell her own breath

We at Carolina Family Dental are going to be talking about how to get rid of bad breath in just a moment, but first, some related dental trivia. Did you know that Gandhi was plagued by health related problems? It’s true, his feet were abused from walking barefoot, he was very frail, and he had horrendous breath. [Pause. Hold punchline for dramatic effect.] We guess you could say he was a super-calloused-fragile-mystic-hexed-by-halitosis


 

Yikes. Sorry for that groaner. Even the dads had to look away.


 

It’s doubtful that the societal expectations concerning smells were as critical in Gandhi's context as they are today. If he was living in America now, he would be paranoid like everyone else. He was a teacher, and teachers are paranoid about getting labeled as the bad-breath teacher. Many of the students will forget about the boy-hating teacher, the only-uses-worksheets teacher, and the easy-to-get-off-topic teacher, but the bad-breath teacher is the Best Supporting Actor when the alumni tell stories from their high school years. That’s not okay, so we better talk about how to get rid of bad breath.

DAILY LIFESTYLE CHANGES

Control what goes in your mouth. 

Excess sugar can cause an overgrowth of bacteria, of which certain kinds can cause bad breath. Cigarette smoke, chewing tobacco, and sugary drinks and candies can also lead to dry mouth - a condition where the void of saliva leaves the tongue vulnerable to bacterial growth. Coffee and alcohol are also culprits that work against the natural defenses of the tongue. And then, of course, try to refrain from garlic and onions if you are concerned about it in a short time frame. 

Practice preventative care

The little things can make a gigantic difference when it comes to teeth. Brushing after meals, flossing once per day, using an antibacterial mouthwash, brushing your tongue (scrape if recommended by your dentist) – these are all reasonable best practices for anyone who has struggled and is wondering how to get rid of bad breath.   

BRING IN THE PROS

Get an exam and cleaning

Semi-annual evaluations and cleanings are crucial to fighting the bacteria that causes bad breath. X-rays, skilled examinations, and deep scale cleaning are all wildly significant in the overall war on your mouth. Dental professionals are highly trained, skilled, knowledgeable, eager, and they employ scores of specialized instruments and techniques. Take advantage of these experts who know exactly how to get rid of bad breath for you personally. 

Underlying Issues

Since diagnosing conditions like thrush, infections, or other problems like periodontal disease relies on not only the knowledge of a professional but also the legal authority to prescribe medicines and treatments, it’s best to let a licensed professional keep an eye on things for you. Severe or persistent halitosis despite necessary changes is not a great time to DIY. 

 

 

We learned a lot through the initial wave of COVID-19. For example, wearing masks let us know what our breath was really like. There were likely thousands of people who apologized to their loved ones for suffering their gnarly breath for years and years. We also learned that knowledge and resources come in pretty handy when there’s a problem. Please contact us here at Carolina Family Dental when you’re ready to attack that halitosis. We will examine, diagnose, educate, treat, and monitor our purpose of achieving the best possible oral health for you.